Tool handle



J. DRAGON TOOL HANDLE Filed March 17, 1927 Nov. 20, 1928.

Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

a omens...

JOSEPH DRAGON, OF MGKEES ROCKS, PENNSYLVANIA.

TOOL HANDLE.

Application filed March 17, 1927. Serial No. 176,606.

My invention relates to tool handles, and more particularly to handles for tools such as hammers, hatchets, etc.

One object of my invention is to provide a handle structure that is more eiiicient and durable than those heretofore employed and one wherein the handle is more firmly held against loosening and which may be adjusted to take up such looseness as may occur through wear or shrinkage.

Another object of my invention is to provide a handle structure composed of a plurality of parts which may be readily assembled and disassembled, whereby a worn or broken part can be conveniently replaced.

Some of the forms which my invention may take are shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a View of one form of handle structure, partially in section; Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing a modified form of handle structure, and Fig. 3 is a View showing the shaft or rod of Fig. 2, with its outer end split preliminary to bending the split portions to the positions shown in Fig. 2.

The handle structure is shown as applied to ahammer head 4:, but it will be understood that it may also be employed in connection with tools of various other forms. The hammer 4 is provided with the usual eye for receiving a handle, and is counter-sunk at its outer side for the reception of the head 5 of a rod or shaft 6. A grip portion 7 extends into the eye of the hammer and will preferably be formed of wood, rubber or other yieldable or non-metallic material. For instance, a piece of rubber hose can be employed in lieu of the grip member 7. Pieces of worn rubber hose could be utilized for this purpose, the tube 8 and the rod 6 having the required strength, and the grip member serving mainly as a cushion for the hands of the workman.

The grip member 7 is recessed longitudinally thereof for the reception of a metallic tube 8. The rod 6 extends through the tube 8 and is threaded at its inner end for the reception of a wing nut 9. A washer 10 is interposed between the wing nut '9 and the inner ends of the members .7 and 8. The tube 8 is shown as roughened so that the grip member of rubber or wood will be held against sliding or turning on the tube.

In assembling the handle, the sleeve 8 and the member 7 are inserted into the eye of the hammer and the rod 6 then inserted in the sleeve 8 through the outer end of such sleeve. The washer l0 and the nut 9 are then placed on the threaded end of the rod and the nut turned to draw the head 5 and the grip member 7 into snug engagement with the hammer.

If anyof the parts suchas the members 6, 7 and 8 should become damaged, the damaged member can be easily removed and replaced, upon removal of the wing nut 9, to permit separation of the various parts of the handle structure. The tube 8 serves to strengthen the handle against bending stresses and also serves as a wear plate to prevent injury of the relatively soft material of the grip member 7 by the rod 6. By'providing a recess in the hammer for the head 5, I cause the shocks of impacts upon the hammer head to be transmitted largely to the rod 6 directly Elms? prolonging the life of the grip mem- In Fig. 2,1 show a structure similar to that disclosed in Fig. 1, but wherein the rod 6, instead of having its outer end offset to form a head, has its outer end split as indicated in Fig. 3, and the split portions 5 are bent to the position shown in Fig. 2. In this form of device, as in the case of Fig. l, the rod 6 will be inserted through the outer end of the tube 8, the split portions 5 having been previously bent so that they will fit within the recess in the outer surface of the hammer 4.

The shank or body portion of the rod 6 is preferably of uniform diameter throughout its length, so that there will be no difficulty in securing a proper lit as between it and the tube 8 and so that it may be conveniently formed of commercial stock, it being necessary only to take a rod of the desired thickness and upset its outer end and thread its inner end. While I have shown the outer side of the hammer i as counter-sunk for the reception of the head 5, it will be understood that the handle can be employed in connection with a hammer which is not countersunk.

' Since the rod 6 and the tube 8 are circular I claim as my invention The combination With a hammer head having an eye, of a handle for the head, comprising a metallic sleeve, a rod siidebly fitting inthe sleeve but having its ends protruding therefrom, and its outer end portion extending into said eye and having connection with said head, a grip member snugly fitting the sleeve, and adjustable means carried by the hammer head; the sleeve serving to reinforce the grip member.

In testimony whereof I the said JOSEPH DRAeoN, have hereunto set my hand.

JOSEPH DRAGON. 

